Report: Marc Staal Could Be Signed Before Camp Opens

Perhaps because of Glen Sather's "chasm" comment from earlier in the summer, we'd been expecting Marc Staal's contract negotiations to drag at least a few days into training camp, not unlike the Brandon Dubinsky negotiations did last year. But a source now tells the Daily News that "There's an expectation it will get done before the start of camp." Larry Brooks reports that, while no deal is done yet, it's believed the Rangers are working on a contract beyond the four years the Rangers own Staal's rights under the CBA, which could mean a higher salary on this contract but would also mean postponing Staal's unrestricted free agency. [NYDN, NYP]